Thrissur: Following a case registered against rapper Vedan for possessing a leopard tooth pendant, a complaint has now been filed against Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi, alleging a similar offence.

The complaint was submitted by A.A. Mohamed Hashim, a resident of Vadanappally, who is the State General Secretary of the INTUC youth wing and a former national spokesperson of the Youth Congress. He alleged that Suresh Gopi was seen wearing a pendant made of leopard tooth, in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Visual evidence of the minister wearing the pendant was reportedly submitted to the State Police Chief. The complaint contends that Suresh Gopi must clarify how he came into possession of the leopard tooth, which are protected under Indian wildlife laws.

Hashim further stated that the minister’s action amounts to a breach of the Wildlife Protection Act, and added that a person who has taken an oath to uphold the law should not be involved in actions that could be interpreted as unconstitutional or gross misconduct.

The development comes shortly after the Forest Department filed a case against rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) on Tuesday, after he was found in possession of a similar leopard tooth pendant. Charges under multiple sections, including illegal hunting, were brought against him, and he is currently in the custody of the Forest Department.

Vedan was previously detained by the police along with eight others for allegedly using cannabis at a flat in Thrippunithura. Approximately six grams of cannabis were seized from the premises. It was during this incident that police noticed the leopard tooth pendant Vedan was wearing, and subsequently alerted the Forest Department. Upon verification, the teeth were confirmed to be genuine tiger parts, prompting legal action under wildlife laws.

Although Vedan was granted bail in the narcotics case, he remains in Forest Department custody. He has since been formally arrested in connection with the wildlife offence and presented before a magistrate.

During questioning, Vedan claimed the leopard tooth pendant was a gift from fans in Tamil Nadu, though he admitted to personally knowing only one individual among them, a man named Ranjith.